Comparison of drug abuse clients in urban and rural settings

Examination was made of differences between the demographic and drug-using characteristics of 2,262 persons admitted to rural drug abuse units and 8,017 persons admitted to urban drug abuse treatment units in eight states. Rural clients were far more likely to report marijuana and urban clients to report heroin as their primary drugs of abuse; urban clients were also more likely to be older. Rural opiate users were also more likely to report nondaily use of heroin and were more likely to enter treatment at a younger age than their urban heroin-using counterparts. Implications of these findings for treatment are discussed.